June is such a glorious month in the garden. Everything growing is still young and green with lush growth that has yet to be affected by pests, drought and weeds. The perennial flower garden is always a source of enjoyment as the lupines, delphiniums, poppies, columbines, heliopsis and foxgloves begin their annual color assault.

But not all the flowering duties are left to perennial and annual flowers. Vines that flower impart a dramatic flair to the landscape when properly used. Anyone who has smelled the heady fragrance of an old-fashioned wisteria or has seen a climbing hydrangea abloom knows what I mean.

A vine is best classified as any climbing or trailing plant with an elongated stem that would be incapable of climbing without support. I suppose this definition could leave out climbing roses, which tend to ramble rather than climb, but a vigorous climbing rose can do the same job as any vine -- from dressing up a blank wall to adding a vertical accent to a mostly horizontal landscape.

The right soil and sun location combined with some type of natural or constructed support is required for vines. Since most climbing vines enjoy partial to full sun, the planting location should take this into consideration. The majority of flowering vines are also quite vigorous in their growth. Compost, well-rotted manure and plenty of slow-release organic fertilizers will send the vines skyrocketing in no time. With the considerable leaf structure that the vines produce, they are ideal candidates for liquid foliar feedings. I like a balanced 20-20-20 water-soluble solution that is readily absorbed during the warm summer months.

Still, flowers are what we're interested in and I know of no more breathtaking vine than the clematis. On certain types of clematis, flowers can attain six to 10 inches in diameter. It is said that clematis like their top growth in full sun with their roots shaded and moist. I chose to plant some hybrid peonies around the clematis vines that not only helps keep the clematis roots cool and shaded, but provide extra color in contrast to the clematis flowers.

Purchasing and planting clematis vines can seem a bit disheartening. The vines are small and extremely fragile. Pop the plant out of the growing container and don't be surprised if root growth is delicate and sparse. No need to despair, since the plants will quickly take hold, providing the soil is rich, moist and well drained. Don't expect heavy flowering or lush growth the first year after planting. Clematis seems to take its time adjusting to a new environment.

Honeysuckle, with its red trumpet-like summer blooms, gives the landscape a bit of a tropical appearance, but this is one tough and cold-hardy perennial vine. Hummingbirds are especially attracted to the red blossoms, although some varieties, such as sulphurea, have yellow flowers. Honeysuckle will grow up to 25 feet tall, so be sure to give it plenty of legroom.

Q.: Some of my broccoli plants look just awful, while others are already producing small heads. The plants doing poorly are small, wilting and turning yellow, typically on the lower leaves. Eventually, the whole plant looks the same. Some of the plants I pulled out were free of cabbage maggots, but the roots were mostly gone. Any idea what happened? D. Thad, Westport

A.: The cool spring has been conducive to a variety of root- and stem-rot diseases. These fungi live in the dirt and thrive on damp soil and heavy earth while attacking the plants' roots or stems at the soil level. I'd allow the soil around the plants to dry out a bit and remove any severely affected plants from the garden. Chalk the loss up to the weather and keep on improving your garden drainage.

Q.: My cabbage, broccoli and turnip greens have holes in the leaves. I'm rather perplexed because upon inspection I find no insects whatsoever. Who's doing the damage and when? J. Raddison, Monroe

A.: Some insects are rather smart and avoid detection (and other predators) by feeding nocturnally. Several kinds of insects could be at work, ranging from beetles, weevils, caterpillars and all earwigs and cutworms. These nighttime feeders hide in the soil, debris or other protected areas during the day. You can try natural solutions such as a spray of Bacillus thuringiensis or use carbaryl (Sevin) to eliminate the culprits.

Readers are invited to submit garden tips and questions to bjcgardens@aol.com.